Family History and Genealogy in Cornwall

Cornish families can be identified by their surnames: Borlase; Tonkin; Killigrew, Trelawney; Davey; Trevithick; Arundell; Boscawen; Bray; Carew; Godolphin; Vivian; Penrose; Hocking; Polwhele are some of the famous ones. By Tre, Pol and Pen you shall know the Cornishmen. Chances are that if your family name is something like this then you have Cornish ancestors.

Researching your family tree and discovering your ancestors can be a fascinating pastime and captures the imagination of many.

Many families left Cornwall during the 19th century. The depression in the mining industry meant that as mines closed in Cornwall and families found themselves without the ability to make a living, they sought new employment opportunities, heading for a new life in the United States, Canada, Australia, South America, Africa.

Skilled workers such as Cornish miners and engineers were eagerly prized around the world for their skill and knowledge, to the point that it is often said that wherever there is a hole being dug in the ground you will find a Cornishman in the bottom of it.

Men and women of Cornish descent can now be found across the world. In may of these places there are active Cornish Associations (see our Cornish Culture page for a list of Cornish Associations).

The links below will help you whether you are tracing your Cornish ancestry or if you are generally wanting to uncover your family history.

Parish churches can often be the first step in tracing your family history. Visit our Churches in Cornwall page to view the list of Parish churches.

Cornish Family History Links

Cornwall Record Office Address and contact details:

The County Archivist Cornwall County Council Old County Hall Truro Cornwall TR1 3AY

The Cornwall Record Office(CRO) contains a wealth of information including the following archives:

Public Records including Court Records pre 1858

Mining Records from the Stannary Court

Shipping Registers from 1786

Census Returns from 1801

Local Government records including Parish Council and administrative records

Church of England records including Parish Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths for parishes around Cornwall with some records still available from 1538. The majority of records are for the period from 1837 onwards.

Family and Estate records including manorial records, personal papers and records for more than 40 Cornish gentry families

Nonconformist records for church records for Methodists, Baptists, Congregationalists, Roman Catholics, Society of Friends(Quakars) and Jews.

Records of Voluntary Organisations including Charities, Hospitals, Schools and Societies.